The first night we arrived at Zion's Gate, we were welcomed by five or six boys shouting and smiling because we were finally there. Right off the bat, they grabbed our 45lb+ bags, hoisted them over their shoulder, and carried them inside for us…and these are boys as young as 8. These boys, some of them fresh off the streets as of 24 hours ago, were different than any other kids that I had ever met. 20 minutes later one of the boys, climbed a tree, grabbed a rope with a piece of wood for a seat and jumped off swinging super high and giggling the entire time…20ft in the air. Another time one of the boys retrieved a frisbee that had gotten thrown onto a rusty tin roof (with spots rusted through) with old wooden beams that shook when you blew on it. Even yesterday one of the boys who is just 8 years old climbed over the railing on the second story balcony of Tony's home, and walked the ledge that was less than a foot wide, no fear. I've heard that another one of the boys even jumped off that same balcony without breaking a bone. Who are these kids?!
I joke that they're ninjas. But it's sort of true. Street kids get abad rap here in Honduras. I think society see's them as annoying, thinner addicted, thieves. If only they knew. The other day we went to the local hospital to pray over the team that would be doing ministry there. Our guide through the hospital was a young boy who just turned 16. He got us back to where they did the X-Rays by boldly going up to the (armed with shotguns) guards, and asked if we could pass so we could pray for people. After a few moments of discussion, they let us through. When we approached the X-Ray rooms, we noticed a group of 8-9 people sitting across the hallway waiting for loved ones who were in the X-Rays. The boy turned to us and asked if we would pray with the people. I think we started talking about there not being much time and that we had to get back and he said: "These people are sick? Why would we not pray for them?" Boom. Ouch. So we agreed and he walked right up to the people waiting and asked why they were there and if we could pray for them. All of them agreed. So we grabbed hands in a big circle and began to pray simultaneously. When we were finished about a minute later, they were all SO appreciative. They gave us hugs…had tears in their eyes…and then we left.
Without that boy, we wouldn't have gone up to those people and prayed. On the bus ride home I began to think about the boys back home on the ministry site. Here are these kids, who have already broken the chains of addiction, who have chosen to live a healthy, full life, who are going to school and getting an education…voluntarily…some, who were completely on fire for the Lord. With no fear. The boldness of a street kid is something that I haven't seen anywhere else. Nothing is too dangerous or too embarrassing. Just think if every Christian had the same boldness as these boys? The same tenacity…the same fire to ask random strangers if they needed prayer? It would change the world! Then I thought of these 8-9 boys here at the site. If all of the boys here become Christ's disciples…HOLY IMPACT. From a kid who was avoided to a soldier who moved mountains. There is something to be said about those street kids. I'm so thankful for this ministry. I am so thankful that it prepares these boys to be co-heirs and soldiers of Christ. And that they can reach the unreachable…and the people most Christians are afraid to impact.
